title: Nanotechnology-based restorative materials for dental caries management.
abstract: Nanotechnology has been applied to dental materials as an innovative concept for the development of materials with better properties and anticaries potential. In this review we discuss the current progress and future applications of functional nanoparticles incorporated in dental restorative materials as useful strategies to dental caries management. We also overview proposed antimicrobial and remineralizing mechanisms. Nanomaterials have great potential to decrease biofilm accumulation, inhibit the demineralization process, to be used for remineralizing tooth structure, and to combat caries-related bacteria. These results are encouraging and open the doors to future clinical studies that will allow the therapeutic value of nanotechnology-based restorative materials to be established.
authors.affiliation: Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering Division, Dept of Endodontics, Prosthodontics and Operative Dentistry, University of Maryland Dental School, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. maryannesmelo@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Mary A S
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.forename: Sarah F F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Guedes
authors.forename: Hockin H K
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Lidiany K A
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000628:therapy*; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D014089:Tooth Remineralization / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003764:Dental Materials
keywords: dental caries; dental materials; nanoparticles; nanotechnology